TSA Computer Travel Bag

ABSTRACT

A travel bag for a laptop computer for easing scanning at a security checkpoint including a first compartment for storing a laptop computer and a second compartment for storing other typical travel items. The compartment for storing a laptop computer is free of metal and pockets or organizers capable of holding items that may interfere with the scanning of the laptop computer. The two compartments are adapted to be opened so that they lie adjacent to one another with aligned edge surfaces interconnected by a hinge structure provided to align the edge surfaces. A carry handle is provided to be above the hinge and the aligned edge surfaces.

RELATED APPLICATION

The application claims priority of provisional patent application, Ser.No. 61/074,085 filed Jun. 19, 2008.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to travel bags for computer laptops thatenables the laptop to be screened by the Transportation SecurityAdministration (TSA) without removal from the travel bag

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Due to increased screening efforts by the TSA, delays at airportscreening facilities can often be a burden to travelers. To allow theTSA to reduce waiting times at security screening areas at airports, atravel bag has been designed to allow passengers to move quickly throughsecurity without having to remove their laptop from the travel bag.Inasmuch as the laptop remains in the travel bag the screeningefficiency is improved and the potential for damaged laptops is reduced.Further, the potential for mistaken identity of a laptop is reduced.

After x-ray visualization and screening of the laptop inside the travelbag, passengers can in one easy motion, and with just one hand, removethe bag from the screening area.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a travelbag for a laptop computer that would enable a person to quickly andconveniently pass through a security check point.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A travel bag for a laptop computer for easing scanning at a securitycheckpoint includes a first compartment for storing a laptop computerand a second compartment for storing other items typically carried by atraveler. The first compartment for storing a laptop computer is free ofmetal and pockets or organizers capable of holding items that mayinterfere with the scanning of the laptop computer. The two compartmentsare able to be spread apart to lie adjacent one another with alignededge surfaces and a hinge structure is provided to interconnect thealigned edge surfaces. A carry handle is provided to be above thealigned edge surfaces.

In this way, the aligned edge surfaces are located below the carryinghandle so the two compartments may be separated from one another whilestill connected through the hinge structure, and arranged to lieadjacent one another on a moving belt of a security scanner. Uponpassing through the security scanner, the travel bag may be removedeasily from the belt by grasping the handle to lift the travel bag andallow the two compartments to lie adjacent one another for removal fromthe security checkpoint.

In preferred form the two compartments each has respective surfaces ofmating adhering members to hold them together upon removal from thesecurity checkpoint. The compartment for the laptop computer may have apadded sleeve for receiving the laptop computer and the surface areaadjacent the sleeve is free of any pockets or organizers capable ofholding items that may interfere with the scanning of the laptopcomputer. This compartment is also free of any metal closures that mayinterfere with the scanning of the laptop computer.

The travel may also straps enabling the travel bad to be secured to atraveler's back.

These and other objects, and advantages and features of the presentinvention will become apparent from the description given below which ismade in conjunction with the following drawing figures:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view thereof;

FIG. 3 illustrates the embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1with the two compartments spread apart to lie adjacent one another;

FIG. 4 is a top view of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 illustrates the sequence of operation of the embodiment of FIG.1;

FIG. 7 a illustrates a perspective view of a second embodiment of thepresent invention!

FIG. 7 b illustrates the second embodiment of the present invention withthe two compartments spread apart to lie adjacent one another on a TSAconveyor belt;

FIG. 8 a illustrates a perspective view of a third embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 8 b illustrates the third embodiment of the present invention withthe two compartments spread apart to lie adjacent one another on a TSAconveyor belt.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 through 6 illustrate a travel bag 10 for a laptop computer. Thetravel bag 10 has a first compartment 12 for storing a laptop computer14 and a second compartment 16 for storing other items 18 that may becarried by a traveler. The first compartment 12 and the secondcompartment 16 are able to be spread apart as shown in FIG. 3 to lieadjacent one another with aligned edge surfaces 20 and 22, and a hingestructure 24 is provided to interconnect the aligned edge surfaces. Acarry handle 26 has respective end portions 27 and 28 connected to thealigned edge surfaces.

In this way, the aligned edge surfaces 20 and 22 are located below thecarrying handle 26 so the two compartments 12 and 16 may be separatedfrom one another while still connected through the hinge structure 24.As shown in FIG. 61, the two compartments 12 and 16 may be separated byunlocking buckle 30 and arranged to lie adjacent one another in aside-by-side configuration on a moving belt 32 of a security scanner 34.Upon passing through the security scanner 34, the travel bag 10 may beremoved easily from the belt by grasping the handle 26 to lift thetravel bag and allow the two compartments to fall against one anotherfor removal from the security checkpoint. Buckle 30 may take anyconventional forms, including the snap-in buckle, or as shown in phantomin FIG. 2, a strip 30 b of adhering material connected to onecompartment and a mating patch 30 a of adhering material connected tothe other. Such adhering materials would preferably be conventionalhook-and-loop materials.

In preferred form, the two compartments 12 and 16 each has respectivesurfaces of mating adhering members 32, for example hook-and-loopmaterials to hold the compartments together upon removal form thesecurity checkpoint. The number and location of the mating adheringmembers may vary according to expected requirements of the size andexpected loads within the travel bag.

The compartment for the laptop computer may have a padded sleeve 34 forreceiving the laptop computer and the surface area of the travel bagadjacent the sleeve is free of any pockets or organizers capable ofholding items that may interfere with the scanning of the laptopcomputer. This compartment is also free of any metal closures that mayinterfere with the scanning of the laptop computer. Any zippers or thelike are fabricated from synthetic plastics materials.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate a travel bag 40 comparable to that of FIGS. 1through 6, but with wheels 42 and a retractable handle structure 44. Thelaptop would be placed in the front compartment 46 so it can be scannedwithout interference from the remaining contents of the travel bag.Zippers and other closure elements of the travel bag for compartments 46can be of a synthetic plastics material so as not to interfere with thescanning of a computer laptop in compartment 46. Again, the compartment46 for the laptop computer may have a padded sleeve for receiving thelaptop computer and the surface area of the travel bag adjacent thesleeve is free of any pockets or organizers capable of holding itemsthat may interfere with the scanning of the laptop computer. Thiscompartment 46 is also free of any metal closures that may interferewith the scanning of the laptop computer.

The two compartments also have on engaging inner surfaces matingadhering members, for example hook-and-loop materials, to hold thecompartments together upon removal form the security checkpoint Thenumber and location of the mating adhering members may vary according toexpected requirements of the size and expected loads within the travelbag, but preferably are in the lower corners to assure the twocompartments are secured in an aligned condition after the bag haslifted from a belt of a security scanner.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate a travel bag 50 comparable to that of FIGS. 1through 6, but with shoulder straps 52. The laptop would be placed inthe rearward compartment 54 so it can be scanned without interferencefrom the remaining contents of the travel bag. Again, the compartment 54for the laptop computer may have a padded sleeve for receiving thelaptop computer and the surface area of the travel bag adjacent thesleeve is free of any pockets or organizers capable of holding itemsthat may interfere with the scanning of the laptop computer; and zippersand other closure elements of the travel bag for compartment 54 can beof a synthetic plastics material so as not to interfere with thescanning of a computer laptop in compartment 54. The straps 52 enablethe travel bag to be secured to a traveler's back. As noted in FIG. 8B,the handle 56 may be located solely on the compartment 54.

AS in the previous embodiments, the two compartments have on engaginginner surfaces mating adhering members, for example hook-and-loopmaterials, to hold the compartments together upon removal from thesecurity checkpoint. The number and location of the mating adheringmembers may vary according to expected requirements of the size andexpected loads within the travel bag, but preferably are at least in thelower corners to assure the two compartments are secured in an alignedcondition after the bag has lifted from a belt of a security scanner.

These and other objects, advantages and features of the presentinvention will be understood from the detailed description made above;and it is understood that the present invention is not limited by anyother details set forth above, but by the appended claims.

1. A travel bag for a laptop computer for easing scanning at a securitycheckpoint, said travel bag including a first compartment for storing alaptop computer and a second compartment for storing other itemstypically carried by a traveler, said first and second compartmentsbeing adapted to lie adjacent one another with aligned edge surfaces, ahinge structure interconnecting said aligned edge surfaces, and acarrying handle connected to be positioned above said aligned edgesurfaces whereby said first and second compartment may be separated fromone another while connected through said hinge structure and arranged tolie on a moving belt of a security scanner, and upon passing through thesecurity scanner the travel bag may be removed easily from the belt byrasping the handle to lift the travel bag and allow the first and secondcompartments to lie adjacent one another for removal from the securitycheckpoint.
 2. A travel bag as set fort in claim 1, the surfaces of saidfirst and second compartments adapted to lie adjacent one another eachhaving respective surfaces of mating adhering members to hold said firstand second compartments adjacent one another upon removal form thesecurity checkpoint.
 3. A travel bag as set fort in claim 2, the firstcompartment includes a padded sleeve for receiving the laptop computerand the surface area adjacent the sleeve is free of any pockets ororganizers capable of holding items that may interfere with the scanningof the laptop computer and is also free of any metal closures that mayinterfere with the scanning of the laptop computer.
 4. A travel bag asset fort in claim 3, respective end portions of said carry handle beingconnected to said aligned edge portions.
 5. A travel bag as set fort inclaim 1, the first compartment includes a padded sleeve for receivingthe laptop computer and the surface area adjacent the sleeve is free ofany pockets or organizers capable of holding items that may interferewith the scanning of the laptop computer and is also free of any metalclosures that may interfere with the scanning of the laptop computer. 6.A travel bag as set fort in claim 1, respective end portions of saidcarry handle being connected to said aligned edge portions.
 7. A travelbag as set fort in claim 1, the second compartment includes wheels and aretractable handle.
 8. A travel bag as set fort in claim 7, the surfacesof said first and second compartments adapted to lie adjacent oneanother each having respective surfaces of mating adhering members tohold said first and second compartments adjacent one another uponremoval form the security checkpoint.
 9. A travel bag as set fort inclaim 8, the first compartment includes a padded sleeve for receivingthe laptop computer and the surface area adjacent the sleeve is free ofany pockets or organizers capable of holding items that may interferewith the scanning of the laptop computer and is also free of any metalclosures that may interfere with the scanning of the laptop computer.10. A travel bag as set fort in claim 7, the first compartment includesa padded sleeve for receiving the laptop computer and the surface areaadjacent the sleeve is free of any pockets or organizers capable ofholding items that may interfere with the scanning of the laptopcomputer and is also free of any metal closures that may interfere withthe scanning of the laptop computer.
 11. A travel bag as set fort inclaim 1, the second compartment includes straps enabling the travel badto be secured to a traveler's back.
 12. A travel bag as set fort inclaim 11, the surfaces of said first and second compartments adapted tolie adjacent one another each having respective surfaces of matingadhering members to hold said first and second compartments adjacent oneanother upon removal form the security checkpoint.
 13. A travel bag asset fort in claim 12, the first compartment includes a padded sleeve forreceiving the laptop computer and the surface area adjacent the sleeveis free of any pockets or organizers capable of holding items that mayinterfere with the scanning of the laptop computer and is also free ofany metal closures that may interfere with the scanning of the laptopcomputer. 14 A travel bag as set fort in claim 11, the first compartmentincludes a padded sleeve for receiving the laptop computer and thesurface area adjacent the sleeve is free of any pockets or organizerscapable of holding items that may interfere with the scanning of thelaptop computer and is also free of any metal closures that mayinterfere with the scanning of the laptop computer.